Improvement in telegraph-keys



UTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RANDALL IV. VALKER, OF OXFORD, NEV YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN TELEGRAPH'KEVS'.

Specification forming part of Lett( rs Patent No. 152,199, dated June 16,1374; application tiled April 25, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RANDALL WVALKER, of Oxford, Ohenango county, New York, have invented a new and Improved Telegraph Key, ot which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l represents a perspective view of my improved telegraph-key; Fig. 2, a vertical longitudinal section of the same on the line c c, Fig. l; Fig. 3, a rear view ot' the key; and Fig. 4, a vertical transverse section ot' the same on the line a; x, Fig. 2.

Similar letters ot' reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object ot' my invention is to furnish an improved colnbined telegraph-key, 'by which a dispatch may be sent over t\vo or more lines at the same time, or over one or more separate lines, as desired.v My invention consists of atelegraph-key iliade ot' as many insulated plates as there are lines to be worked, which plates are provided with sidewise-projecting lugs for attachment to the connecting- \\ires. Any one or more lines maybe Worked separately tor transmitting dispatches by cutting the remaining wires out by circuit-closers.

In the drawing, A represents my improved combination telegraph-key, which is pivoted in the usual manner by a steel or other rod to supporting-screws and bearings of the base part 'lhe front part of the key A is acted upon by a spiral or other spring, a., and regulated by an insulated set-screw, b, at the rear end. The main part of key A is constructed otl two or more plates, A', which are placed one above the other, and completely sepa-rated by suitable insulating material. The plates A are iirmly connected by insulated screws d, so as to form one compact lever with as many independent coiinecting-platcs as there are lines desired to be worked for simultaneous transmissions. Each plate A' is provided with front and rear side projecting lugs c,

of which the rear lug is placed by a spira1 Wire, c, in Vconnection with a line-Wire, While the front lug carries the adjustable contactscrew f for closing the circuit on the contactpoint j" ofthe connecting-wire. 'Ihe contactscrews ,f are accurately adjusted at equal height above their contact-points, so that by depressing the key they are all brought in contact therewith, and transmit messages simultaneously over the insulated key-plates t0 as many diiierent lines as maybe arranged with the key. Each line-wire is provided with a circuit-closer, C, which is pivoted to its connecting screw-bolt, and thoroughly insulated from the base and pivot bearings ot' the key, so that when the circuit-closer is\brought in connection with the projeetin g part of its contact j" the line is closed, and the dispatch transmitted over the remaining wires. rIhe key may,therct`ore, be used as a single key for working any desired line separately, or for working several or all ofthem at the same time, as may be desired, forming thereby a very useful and time-saving instrument for telegraph-oices, being especially useful for the transmission ot' press-dispatches and other purposes.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The improved telegraph-key, for transmitting'dispatches simultaneously over several lilies, composed of insulated plates A', as many as there are lines to be connected, which are provided with sideWise-projecting front and rear lugs or extensions c c, for attaching' the contact-screws and connecting-wires, substantially as set forth.

RANDALL W. WALKER.

W'tnesses:

JOHN C. LEWIS, SAME. S. STAFFORD. 

